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No admission in MES schools if child has not had his vaccinations.

While the Kerala state government is still thinking about making vaccination mandatory for school admissions, the Muslim Educational Society has already begun implementing it in 72 schools which come under its purview.

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Even as the Kerala state government is dragging its feet on making vaccination mandatory for school admissions, the Muslim Educational Society has taken the lead and already implemented this initiative in around 72 schools which come under its purview.

Just last week MES president P A Fazal Gafoor issued a circular to all schools stating that children should be give a week’s time to get their vaccination if not already taken, failing which they may be rusticated from the school. Confirming this, Gafoor said, "It is important that we take steps to ensure that each child is properly vaccinated. Ignorance is no excuse and strict implementation is essential. Therefore, we have decided not to admit a child who has not been given the necessary vaccinations".

This exemplary step has been taken at a time when the state government is facing increasing resistance to its vaccination programme at the ground level and the re-emergence of diphtheria in Malappuram district.

It’s worth noting here that the state education department has already issued an order recently that only vaccinated students will be given admission to schools in a bid to help the vaccination drive by the health department. However, total implementation has not been ensured. Health minister K K Shylaja had recently announced that his department will do its bit by conducting awareness programmes to overcome resistance to vaccination and if that too does not work, then they will consider legal options.

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Both the departments of the state government are stressing on vaccination as immunization is one of the most successful and cost effective health interventions which helps prevent debilitating illness, disability and death from vaccine-preventable diseases such as diphtheria, hepatitis A and B, measles, mumps, pneumococcal disease, polio, rotavirusdiarrhoea and tetanus.

Significantly, in terms of full immunization coverage, the state stands third (national family health survey (NFHS)-3) in the country. However, worryingly the coverage has significantly dropped recently. As per the district level household and facility survey (DLHS)-4, 17.5 % of the children between 12 and 23 months have not received all the recommended vaccinations.

Meanwhile, MES schools are forging ahead with the initiative and have already prepared a health card and have started compiling data of children who have not received vaccination. "We are now holding one on one counselling sessions with the parents of these children with help from doctors and advising them on the importance of vaccination," said a MES school principal. Meanwhile, all the 6 Al-Ameen schools in the state are asking for proof of vaccination at admission time.

Images used for representational purposes only

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